Evidence suggests that ideas about parenting are often not directly related to parenting behavior, a phenomenon defined as the belief-behavior dilemma. The present study considers both explicit socialization goals but also implicit motives as predictors for parenting behavior emphasizing close body contact between mother and infant. Mothers with 3-month-old infants were recruited in three cultural contexts that represent different cultural models. Socialization goals and implicit motives of power and affiliation were assessed. Finally, mothers were videotaped during an interaction with their infants. The cultural samples meaningfully differed from each other in socialization goals, implicit motives, and parenting behavior. In line with the belief-behavior dilemma, socialization goals did not predict maternal parenting behavior. However, the implicit motive of power predicted mothers’ level of body contact with their infants across and within cultural contexts.
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